Charge Your Electric Car At Envision's Solar Carports

We've been hearing a lot about the electric cars of the future--but where will you park them? Envision Solar International Inc. is hoping to fill that particular niche. The company's carports ("LifePorts") feature solar panels on their roofs, so you can charge your car with the sustainable energy from home.

The company's carports ("LifePorts") feature solar panels on their roofs, so you can charge your car with the sustainable energy from home. The garage-like structure will have parking for one or two electric cars, and,depending on the model, could provide all your home and car energy. The carports aren't available yet for at-home use, but the company's website says they'll be available starting in "Mid 2010."

Envision already has large-scale solar canopies over parking lots at Dell Headquarters, the University of California San Diego, and the City of Napa.

Don't have an electric car but want to get in on the solar power trend? The San Diego-based company (which just went public) also plans to introduce the LifeTree, a pivoting, shade-providing structure with a single pole holding up 8 solar panels. According to their website, this can produce about 2,000 kilowatt hours per year. The more traditional four-post LifeShade produces about the same amount.